cherrygre

I started this journey last year and one of the greatest motivators was " I want to be living a different life when I turn 30".
 
Well here I am a week into my 30s :-) and that is exactly what I have done. I've attached a picture. I am now 80 lbs down (7 months post op today). Wearing a size 12 and I've had to change everything in my wardrobe even my shoes!
 
I hope I can reach 100 lbs by my one year as I know that the last will be the hardest to loose and want to let my body adjust to this massive change; but I am up for the challenge!!
 
I went through my fare share of complications and there are still some difficult days, but this is a journey and totally worth it, at least it has been for me. Nonetheless, I have worked really really hard and I have focused my attention and determination in finding success. Of course there are days where I could eat better or make better choices, but its keeping yourself consistent. We chose to change our lives, so this is not a temporary fix or something you can take back. When I find myself reverting to old food habits I check myself, because i refuse to throw away this wonderful life opportunity.
 
I also had an "aha" moment when all of I sudden I found myself 9am Sunday morning already dripping in sweat after running 5 miles. A few months ago there was no way I would have either been up that early or that my first waking thought would be "oh lets go for a run". Now I look forward to my workouts and even miss them when life/work interferes.
 
This change has inspired everyone in my life. I started a fitness challenge with my work collegues and our group has lost over 50 lbs in the past few weeks.
 
Keep it up everyone, its totally worth it!!!!

I started this journey last year and one of the greatest motivators was " I want to be living a different life when I turn 30".
 
Well here I am a week into my 30s :-) and that is exactly what I have done. I've attached a picture. I am now 80 lbs down (7 months post op today). Wearing a size 12 and I've had to change everything in my wardrobe even my shoes!
 
I hope I can reach 100 lbs by my one year as I know that the last will be the hardest to loose and want to let my body adjust to this massive change; but I am up for the challenge!!
 
I went through my fare share of complications and there are still some difficult days, but this is a journey and totally worth it, at least it has been for me. Nonetheless, I have worked really really hard and I have focused my attention and determination in finding success. Of course there are days where I could eat better or make better choices, but its keeping yourself consistent. We chose to change our lives, so this is not a temporary fix or something you can take back. When I find myself reverting to old food habits I check myself, because i refuse to throw away this wonderful life opportunity.
 
I also had an "aha" moment when all of I sudden I found myself 9am Sunday morning already dripping in sweat after running 5 miles. A few months ago there was no way I would have either been up that early or that my first waking thought would be "oh lets go for a run". Now I look forward to my workouts and even miss them when life/work interferes.
 
This change has inspired everyone in my life. I started a fitness challenge with my work collegues and our group has lost over 50 lbs in the past few weeks.
 
Keep it up everyone, its totally worth it!!!!

There are no words to describe how much my life has changed in 6 months. All I know that even with the pain and complications I would do this again in a hearbeat. My mind is finally catching up to my physical reality and I'm loving this.
 
I've dropped 72 lbs since starting this journey, I went from wearing size 18/20 jeans to now fitting in 12/14s. (which I haven't seen since high school...if then).
 
I constantly thought that I would be so happy if reached this point, and don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic. But I won't give up until I finally reach my goal, which is 50 lbs away....
 
In less than a month I turn 30. I realized that it is about celebrating a new milestone in my life and enjoying this new chapter in this new rocking body. I've let go about trying to reach a number on that scale by a specific time. This is for the rest of my life, so what's the hurry :-)
 
So let's see where 30 takes me :-)

There are no words to describe how much my life has changed in 6 months. All I know that even with the pain and complications I would do this again in a hearbeat. My mind is finally catching up to my physical reality and I'm loving this.
 
I've dropped 72 lbs since starting this journey, I went from wearing size 18/20 jeans to now fitting in 12/14s. (which I haven't seen since high school...if then).
 
I constantly thought that I would be so happy if reached this point, and don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic. But I won't give up until I finally reach my goal, which is 50 lbs away....
 
In less than a month I turn 30. I realized that it is about celebrating a new milestone in my life and enjoying this new chapter in this new rocking body. I've let go about trying to reach a number on that scale by a specific time. This is for the rest of my life, so what's the hurry :-)
 
So let's see where 30 takes me :-)

There are no words to describe how much my life has changed in 6 months. All I know that even with the pain and complications I would do this again in a hearbeat. My mind is finally catching up to my physical reality and I'm loving this.
 
I've dropped 72 lbs since starting this journey, I went from wearing size 18/20 jeans to now fitting in 12/14s. (which I haven't seen since high school...if then).
 
I constantly thought that I would be so happy if reached this point, and don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic. But I won't give up until I finally reach my goal, which is 50 lbs away....
 
In less than a month I turn 30. I realized that it is about celebrating a new milestone in my life and enjoying this new chapter in this new rocking body. I've let go about trying to reach a number on that scale by a specific time. This is for the rest of my life, so what's the hurry :-)
 
So let's see where 30 takes me :-)

There are no words to describe how much my life has changed in 6 months. All I know that even with the pain and complications I would do this again in a hearbeat. My mind is finally catching up to my physical reality and I'm loving this.
 
I've dropped 72 lbs since starting this journey, I went from wearing size 18/20 jeans to now fitting in 12/14s. (which I haven't seen since high school...if then).
 
I constantly thought that I would be so happy if reached this point, and don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic. But I won't give up until I finally reach my goal, which is 50 lbs away....
 
In less than a month I turn 30. I realized that it is about celebrating a new milestone in my life and enjoying this new chapter in this new rocking body. I've let go about trying to reach a number on that scale by a specific time. This is for the rest of my life, so what's the hurry :-)
 
So let's see where 30 takes me :-)

There are no words to describe how much my life has changed in 6 months. All I know that even with the pain and complications I would do this again in a hearbeat. My mind is finally catching up to my physical reality and I'm loving this.
 
I've dropped 72 lbs since starting this journey, I went from wearing size 18/20 jeans to now fitting in 12/14s. (which I haven't seen since high school...if then).
 
I constantly thought that I would be so happy if reached this point, and don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic. But I won't give up until I finally reach my goal, which is 50 lbs away....
 
In less than a month I turn 30. I realized that it is about celebrating a new milestone in my life and enjoying this new chapter in this new rocking body. I've let go about trying to reach a number on that scale by a specific time. This is for the rest of my life, so what's the hurry :-)
 
So let's see where 30 takes me :-)

Hi everyone,
 
Wanted to get people's thoughts or see if they have gone through any similar expiriences, because I am a bit baffled from what is going on inside my head.
 
My journey is going great, found my green zone and have learned (through better or worse) how to eat slowly and properly. Sometimes it seems that I am eating way to little, but my body is reacting amazingly well and I've personally never felt better.
 
I got surgery Sept. 2012, a bit over 4 months out and my weight loss is 65 lbs. That's amazing right? well thats my issue. Even though I am so happy that my body has dropped all this weight and I'm looking better than ever (haven't been this small since high school), I feel my brain hasn't quite caught up to the new me.
 
I get so much more attention from people (especially men) and I am no longer looked at as a "fat" person. I guess the quick transformation hasn't quite processed inside of me because in many ways I see myself the same. Every day the mirror surprises me, I am amazed.
 
Daily things like figuring out what to wear cause me anxiety especially because I don't want to purchase too much until I reach my goal.
 
I am so grateful but not gonna lie a bit anxious....

Hi everyone,
 
Wanted to get people's thoughts or see if they have gone through any similar expiriences, because I am a bit baffled from what is going on inside my head.
 
My journey is going great, found my green zone and have learned (through better or worse) how to eat slowly and properly. Sometimes it seems that I am eating way to little, but my body is reacting amazingly well and I've personally never felt better.
 
I got surgery Sept. 2012, a bit over 4 months out and my weight loss is 65 lbs. That's amazing right? well thats my issue. Even though I am so happy that my body has dropped all this weight and I'm looking better than ever (haven't been this small since high school), I feel my brain hasn't quite caught up to the new me.
 
I get so much more attention from people (especially men) and I am no longer looked at as a "fat" person. I guess the quick transformation hasn't quite processed inside of me because in many ways I see myself the same. Every day the mirror surprises me, I am amazed.
 
Daily things like figuring out what to wear cause me anxiety especially because I don't want to purchase too much until I reach my goal.
 
I am so grateful but not gonna lie a bit anxious....

I made it through my first full anesthesia surgery and everything went well. the doctor performed a Single Incision placement of my band so I only really have one scar (currently healing very nicely) in my belly button.
 
For some reason I was more worried about the anesthesia than the actual surgery, and boy did it seem like one second. The surgery lasted around 1 1/2 hours and my first recollection happened in recovery staring up at my mom in pain. Geez, did I not expect the gas pain. I felt like an elephant was trying to sit in my upper chest and boy did that hurt so badly. In the next few hours, I ended up in a recliner because lying down was too painful. My incision decided to bleed a lot so I had to get it redressed, and the pain meds had me in another planet so I couldn't even walk very much even though they wanted me to walk as much as possible.
 
Luckily I was able to go home that night. But, what I did not expect was that I could not lie down flat, not even a little bit. The most i could muster was sitting in my couch with my feet raised. I stayed in that position for the most part for almost 3 days. The gas would move up and down between my chest and right shoulder and it was agony sometimes. When I was finally able to lie on my side I could have cried out in happiness.
 
Today is day 5 and I feel a lot better, so much so that I made it to work, but taking it very easy and not pushing any limits. I'm not sure if its because I'm still in recovery or because of the lack of food, but I do feel sort of weak and a bit out of it. I can't wait to start my mushy/puree phase.
 
I've lost 24 pounds since starting my pre-op liquid diet, have not had any nausea or issues with my liquids. They all go down very easily and took me two days to feel my first sense of hunger. Feeling the band is such an undescribable feeling, its tight first thing in the morning but once i've been up for an hour or so its ready to go. Now I am hungry but I want to heal right, so I have been making sure I have been hydrated and taking at least 2 protein shakes a day.
 
All i need now is to get rid of the last bit of gas pain and I can continue this journey!!!
 
Have a great day everyone!

How truly excited am I to begin this new chapter of my life? There are no true words to describe it.
 
I find myself standing in a visible cross roads, tomorrow I cross to the right path. I decided for once that I was going to take a stand and truly take control of my life and health, and that no longer will I make or allow excuses for myself. I never remember myself being thin, since I was a small child I was nagged about my weight. When have I worn a single digit dress size? well that's easy, never. At 29, I decided enough is enough and decided to jump head first into this expirience. I am putting myself first for once.
 
So now I am writing my first blog entry on the eve of my surgery. I am so excited, yes there are nerves and questions on what to expect but what is the most amazing its the incredible level of hope.
 
Hope that I can do this,
Hope that I will be able to live a rewarding and fulfilling life,
Hope that it brings a bucketload of blessings and opportunities
 
 
Once my mind was made up, I went for it. The entire process for me from seminar to surgery has been 6 weeks. My job gave me amazing insurance that did not require a 6-month diet; a primary physician that did everything in his power to get me this help; friends and family that have demonstrated a sheer level of love and support that I did not think it was possible.
 
And here I am, 14 days into my pre-op liquid diet, hungry, cranky but sooooooo happy. The diet was the hardest thing I have done so far, I was so strict and on point. Imagine this I spent 10 of those days vacationing in Puerto Rico and I could not drink or eat anything I wanted while every one else indulged. I never cheated, not once because I knew how important this is for me. What was the result of the effort? I have lost an amazing 20 pounds and I can't even believe it.
 
Tomorrow I get banded and I will treasure the beginning of my new life.
 
Good luck to everyone on their journey and I hope that in whatever comes next just keep that initial hope. I know I will :-)